Lake Maninjau - Sumatra
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Danau Maninjau or Lake Maninjau, meaning ' to look out across', is a volcanic crater lake located 38km west of Bukittinggi. Situated at 461m above sea level, the air is cool and pleasant. The lake is 17kms long and 8kms at it's widest and reaches to depths of 480m in some places.
Lake Maninjau is one of the top travel destinations in Sumatra. A peaceful, relaxing place to sit and relax and enjoy the views of the lake.
The road from Bukkittinggi offers some spectacular views of the blue lake and surrounding hills. On the way down there are terraced rice fields. There are quiet a few coffee shops perched on the hill to stop and enjoy the view.
There are 44 hairpin turns on the journey down to the lake from the top of the mountain. Each of these turns are conveniently numbered on cigarette advertising billboards.
About a third of the way down the road is lined with small monkeys waiting for fruit or food to be thrown from passing cars. These are wild monkeys and should not be approached too closely as they are vicious.
On the other side of Lake Maninjau, directly across from Maninjau village are some hot volcanic springs, close to the village of Mukomuko.
Getting to Danau Maninjau
To get there go to the bus terminal in Bukittinggi and there are regular buses going to Danau Maninjau. Cost is 13,000Rp and the trip takes around one and a half hours traveling past scenic terraced rice fields and great views of the Lake as you pass down through 44 hairpin turns to get to the lake.
To get back to Bukittinggi just wait on the main road and there are regular buses.
Buses to Padang can be caught. 2 hours or 2.5 hours
Accommodation/hotels at Lake Maninjau
There are around 20 guesthouses offering basic accommodation close to the Lake Maninjau. Here are some of them including current 2009 room rates, contact details and reviews from travelers:
Febby Homestay basic accommodation right down on the lake. 40,000Rp per night. For picture, prices and contact details click here.
Beach Guest House (1 review) within Maninjau village, 100m from the main road, overlooking the lake. Prices are 40,000Rp per night. For pictures, prices and contact details click here.
Bayua Beach Inn (3 reviews) 3 bungalow style huts and 2 rooms. 40,000Rp for the rooms and 60,000Rp per night for the bungalows. Both Bungalow's and rooms all have internal bathroom. For pictures, prices and contact details click here.
Lili's Beach Resort (3 reviews) is one of the most relaxed, chilled out places to stay on Lake Maninjau. It has 6 basic bungalows, 2 overlooking the lake and 4 homestay rooms attached together. All have shared bathrooms. Prices start from 50,000Rp. For pictures, prices and contact details click here.
Muaro Beach Bungalows (2 reviews) located in the centre of Maninjau Village, 150m down from the main road, overlooking the lake. Prices are 80,000Rp per night. For pictures, prices and contact details click here.
Pillie Homestay located within the Maninjau village. Turn left at the bottom of the hill and walk a few hundred meters. 80,000Rp per night. For picture, prices and contact details click here.
Mutiara Boutique Guesthouse located within the Maninjau village. Turn left at the bottom of the hill and it is a few hundred meters. Prices from 80,000Rp per night. For pictures, prices and contact details click here.
Arlen's Nova Paradise Guest House (2 reviews) one of the nicest places to stay on Lake Maninjau. 6 bungalows at 100,000Rp per night. Right down on Lake Maninjau, For pictures, prices and contact details click here.
Tan Dirih Hotel (1 review) located just along from Maninjau village right on Lake Maninjau. At the bottom of the hill turn right and travel almost 2Kms. Prices are 150,000Rp per night. For picture, prices and contact details click here.
Hotel Maninjau Indah (1 review) right in the centre of Maninjau village. At the bottom of the hill continue straight 100m. Prices from 150,000Rp per night. For pictures, prices and contact details click here.
Pasir Panjang Permai Hotel (1 review) located within the Maninjau village. At the bottom of the hill turn right. Prices from 200,000Rp per night. For picture, prices and contact details click here.
Nuansa Maninjau Resort located at the top of the hill, 9 km from Maninjau village with panoramic views of the lake. With hotel style rooms and cottages. Prices from 520,000Rp per night. For pictures, prices and contact details click here.
Last updated - 14th June 2013